Afghan considers acquiring army helicopters from India, may irk Pak

A supporter of Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah holds an Afghan flag during an election campaign rally in Paghman district of Kabul June 9, 2014. The second round of Afghanistan's presidential election will take place on June 14. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood (AFGHANISTAN - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTR3SWZ5

Karachi: Afghanistan is considering acquiring four attack helicopters from India to fight Taliban insurgency, a small but important move which is likely to anger Pakistan.

According to The Express Tribune, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani held off military help from India while he courted Pakistan’s political and military leadership to end years of mutual opposition and steer the Taliban.

Afghan National Security Adviser Mohammad Hanif Atmar is due to arrive in New Delhi this weekend to finalise the transfer of the Russian-made Mi-25 helicopters, said sources.

While the United States has agreed to supply Afghan forces with light McDonnell Douglas MD 530 helicopters, which can be fitted with weapons. (ANI)